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Shanahan: Portis dropped unhit to prevent fumble

At the end of his longest rush of the season, late in the first quarter during the St. Louis Rams' 30-16 victory over the Redskins Sunday, Clinton Portis went down without being hit.

Portis, whose 2009 season was cut short after he suffered a concussion in Week 9, appeared to simply give up on the play after rushing for 27 yards. Television replays showed Portis looked to see where a Rams' defensive player was positioned before dropping to the turf.

The strange move surprised Coach Mike Shanahan, and Shanahan spoke with Portis about what occurred.

"His right hand was bothering him," Shanahan said during his Monday news conference at Redskins Park. "He felt like he didn't have the ball secured, he couldn't secure it very well, and he was afraid he was going to have contact on that side. "I asked him the same question and that's what he shared with me."

Heavily involved in the game plan in the first half, Portis rushed for 45 yards with a 7.5-yard average before halftime. He had only one carry in the second half.

The Redskins trailed for most of the final two quarters and abandoned the running game, which was effective for the first time in three games, in a failed attempt to rally. They gained one net yard rushing after halftime. "We didn't run the ball as much in the second half as we would have liked," Shanahan said. "I thought we were very effective in the first half."

After the game, Shanahan said the plan was for Portis to play on third downs and obvious passing downs and for Ryan Torain, who was activated from the practice squad Saturday, to often play on first and second downs. But was that the plan before Portis avoided contact on his long run?

I belive Portis. this guy has defined toughness for almost 6 seasons now. He throws crushing blocks and absorbs allot of hits to protect his teammates.. anyone who says otherwise hasnt been watching much since 2004.

Portis has been running like that for a few years now, falling all over himself. im tired of his running style, he couldve got atleast 10 more yards on that run. Have we cut Andre Carter yet? if not when?

Portis could have gotten well more than 10 yards on that run. He could have gotten 10 more yards simply by running until he was brought down. If he accelerated into open space once he hit the cutback rather than slowing down looking for defenders around him, he could have taken it to the house. There's no viable excuse for his actions on that play.

It's clear Shanahan is serious about being healthy and playing to your fullest. If you can't finish a run because you're afraid you'll fumble, then he shouldn't have been in the game.

The early results. Gotta get a legit NT or this defense will never work. Gotta get another OLB or this defense will never work. As we've seen the Shanny''s are able to scheme up a decent offense with this rag tag group. Haslett..not so much.

Meanwhile we are already missing draft picks in round 3 and 4 next year. So how will we get all these players? More high-priced free agents?

What are the two top priorities in rounds 1 and 2 next year?

Posted by: zornskins2 | September 27, 2010 4:31 PM

Not all free agents are high-priced. But if you want to get new players, without draft picks, you've either got to trade or hire free agents.

Priorities in rounds 1 and 2? Dude, we've played three games and we haven't gone through free agency yet. This is like my five-year old asking "What should I name my children when I grow up, finish college, start my career, and marry?" (I suggested Mistamoe).

The early results. Gotta get a legit NT or this defense will never work. Gotta get another OLB or this defense will never work. As we've seen the Shanny''s are able to scheme up a decent offense with this rag tag group. Haslett..not so much.

Posted by: TWISI | September 27, 2010 4:38 PM | Report abuse

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I'd add Center and RB to that grouping as well.

I think the RB can be had in the mid-late rounds, but a dominant NT and a dominant Center are musts for this team, IMO. A serviceable OLB that can support the run and tackle in space would be great. That pick doesn't have to be a home run, though.

If I were you, I would also adopt a "mail-it-in" running style designed first and foremost to protect my own health at this stage of my life/career.

You are approaching 30 and the end of your playing days. You have most of your life ahead of you, and you want to enjoy them without being half-crippled.

The concussion in Atlanta was scary, no doubt, and pretty serious, and I'm sure it gave you some perspective on your playing days and overall health.

I understand, and I'm not being sarcastic.

Just don't yap-off and take it personally as you get phased out of the game plans. Be content with being a 3rd down back on passing downs. Besides, the team is going to write you your $6mill check either way.

Please understand the team simply can't afford to feed the ball to you under these circumstances - that is, if you are going to dive on the ground b/c you fear contact.

His pass protection must improve 1st or teams will get a key that when he is in the game, all he is going to do is run the ball.

But I too would like to see him in extended action.

He reminds me of, well, Ladell Betts for some reason other than the #46.

Posted by: MistaMoe | September 27, 2010 4:41 PM | Report abuse

I agree his pass pro has to improve. I'm not as excited as most about Torain. I just don't like his running style. When he gets tackled he goes sideways. I want to see what Williams can do once he gets into the flow of the game.

I see members of the Portis Defense Union are out in full-force on this one.

Right. He was doing it for the greater good of the team. Way to take a dive there, Clinton. Bravo. Way to think of the team first. We should add a cool million to the $6mill we are already giving him for making such a heads up play and adpoting such a wily "Fumble-Prevention" running style.

Let me ask a question: Have you ever in your life heard of a running back diving on the ground in the open field b/c he was afraid of losing a fumble if he got hit?

Besides, if his arm really is too injured to secure the ball, then he shouldn't be playing anyways.

The draft is the only way to rebuild a team. You can make minor improvements through free agency but not roster overhauls. You typically over pay for free agents because you are bidding against other teams. There is going to be a cap next year. If McNabb re signs it will be about 10 mil a year. It is going to be tough to significantly change the roster through free agency. Also have to keep in mind that Moss and Brown are free agents. If they play well this year they will probably be re signed for too much money.

NT may be a spot that they can upgrade through free agency. They probably wont use the first rounder on Oline. They have a LT and it does not really make sense to use a top 10 pick on a RT or another position. If they could trade back and pick up other picks that would be ideal. And yes I am assuming they are going to be picking around #10 next year.

I see members of the Portis Defense Union are out in full-force on this one.

Right. He was doing it for the greater good of the team. Way to take a dive there, Clinton. Bravo. Way to think of the team first. We should add a cool million to the $6mill we are already giving him for making such a heads up play and adpoting such a wily "Fumble-Prevention" running style.

Let me ask a question: Have you ever in your life heard of a running back diving on the ground in the open field b/c he was afraid of losing a fumble if he got hit?

Besides, if his arm really is too injured to secure the ball, then he shouldn't be playing anyways.

Posted by: p1funk | September 27, 2010 4:59 PM | Report abuse

If saying a guy isn't playing shook qualifies me for the Clinton Defense team, so be it.

I'm not defending the play, just pointing out what could have been the thinking.

Damn near every RB has had a concussion at some point. I don't see any hesitation when he's trying to destroy someone on a block.

Posted by: dcwun | September 27, 2010 4:56 PM

Here, here.

Posted by: smokeybear2 | September 27, 2010 5:02 PM | Report abuse

Yeah, and those running backs are now looking at the 45 year old ex-players who also had concussions and are now hobbling around with slurs and twitches asking for handouts from the NFL.

Again. When you are pass-blocking you can control how to deliver the block/absorb the hit. It's entirely different when you are the ball carrier, and 11 different men are targeting you and trying to knock you out of the game.

Is there a third active member of the CP Defense Union out and about right now?

Seriously, all I am saying is what is evident to everyone. We are watching the decline of CP with our own eyes. I mean, he got benched at half-time by his own coach, who was also wondering why the heck he took a dive in the open field.

Instead of entertaining some nonsensical excuse about wanting to prevent a fumble, let's just call it like it is.

He's done. He's hit the wall that all primary backs in the NFL hit around his age. It's not a "condemnation"; it's reality. He was a great back in his prime; now it's over.

You know it's a weird day up here when I'm defending Portis. There were so many things that went wrong yesterday, to single out Portis going down on that play as having a big negative effect on the game? That's just silly. Does he lack quickness and breakaway speed? Hell yes. But toughness?

Read Shanny's comment: "His right hand was bothering him," Shanahan said during his Monday news conference at Redskins Park. "He felt like he didn't have the ball secured, he couldn't secure it very well, and he was afraid he was going to have contact on that side. "I asked him the same question and that's what he shared with me."

If washington plays philadelphia as they played rams the score will be 37-10 phila. eagles have more team speed(washington does not use much of their speed,( d. thomas, austin,barnes,jarmom etc.) shanahan continues with his stupidity using,galloway,holliday,r. williams,rabach and other dead beats. unless mcnabb throw 2-3 td's and run game gets 170+yd contain m. vick you are looking at 1-3.

All right, here's a real list of Portis's accomplishments for the poster that says Portis was never an elite back:

•Ranks second all-time in club history in rushing yards (6,597), second in rushing attempts (1,613), third in rushing touchdowns (44) and 10th in total touchdowns (47).
•Among active players at the end of 2009, ranks fifth in rushing yards (9,696), sixth in rushing attempts (2,176), third in rushing touchdowns (73) and first in yards per game (89.8).
•Owns a franchise record with 26 career 100-yard rushing games in the regular season as a member of the Redskins.
•Has averaged 108.0 yards from scrimmage per game in his career, making him one of six players in NFL history, along with Jim Brown (125.5), Barry Sanders (118.9), LaDainian Tomlinson (116.6), Walter Payton (111.9) and Marshall Faulk (108.8) to average more than 108.0 yards from scrimmage per game.
•Is one of eight players in NFL history to rush for at least 1,250 yards in a season six times, joining Walter Payton (9), Barry Sanders (9), Jim Brown (7), Emmitt Smith (7), Eric Dickerson (6), Curtis Martin (6) and LaDainian Tomlinson (6). Portis, Sanders, Dickerson and Tomlinson are the only players to reach 1,250 rushing yards six times in their first seven seasons.
•Has 73 career rushing touchdowns, which is tied for 24th, along with former Redskin Terry Allen, on the NFL’s all-time list.

I'd say that elite and with elite company. Nonetheless, the game has left him for the most part.

dont get me wrong, i like Portis, i just dont see why he falls down all the time without ANY contact. he makes all these crushing blocks and it shows that he aint no punk but when it comes to running the ball he acts like a weak lil tramp. he fell down on a redzone run to the left in the Texans game, no contact just FELL!

Sorry elite backs get to playoffs and win. What has CP done in the playoffs. CP is a better than average back.

Yards, TDs etc on a losing team who cares!

Posted by: sheepherder | September 27, 2010 6:07 PM

Wow you're a fool. I guess a running back should win games all by himself. Just not a smart comment. By your standard Barry Sanders is not an elite RB. I think they won 1 playoff game in the 6 he was in. You heard it people, according to Sheepherder Barry Sanders is a better than average back and nothing more.

I'm confused...I was at the game and Portis found out he wasn't going in for the series in the second half he threw a fit...it was news to him not part of the game plan or an injury. He threw his helmet and it bounced up and hit Shanny's shins at which point he looked over to see what was up. Portis went to the bench and pouted. And all the o line and other offensive players had a wtf looks going on...and Bidwell couldn't even walk so he's not going to be magically better by Friday and by the way Trent Williams was limping he'll be out at least another week.

LOL at this clown Portis. You got backs going 80 yars for touchdowns, while our back is sliding with nothing but air and space because he is scared of fumbling. AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY THIS TEAM IS GARBAGE AND DOES NOT PUT UP BIG NUMBERS ON OFFENSE. They have kept this clown every yr, and people just cite his yards because he is a workhorse. Number of yards is the most overrated stat. Its the number of YPC that shows if someone is productive. He is slow, HE STUMBLES AND BUMBLES. AND HE IS A CLOWN.

LOL AT THE REDSKINS STILL TROTTING THIS TRASH OVER RATED PEICE OF CRAP PORTIS SINCE 04. You would think in 2010 the dumb fans would realize he is nothing but a blocker. HE IS GARBAGE AT RUNNING. IF HE WANTS TO BE A BLOCKER, MAKE HIM A FULLBACK.

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